Method and apparatus for producing oscillating currents of high frequency.



A. H. COHEN. RF US FOR PRODUCING OSCHLATWG CURRENTS OF HIGH FREQUENCY.

METHOD AND APPA A I \PPLICAT\0N man DEC.8. x914 Patented Oct. 16,191?

0 12M 14- J 3 T 1 WITNESSES INVENTOR.

BYa-

ATTORNEY UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED 1:. count, or OAKLAND, cnmronnre.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING OSCILLATING CUBRENTS OF HIGH FREQUENCY.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

Application filed December 8, 1914. Serial No. 876,154.

i To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I ALFRED ll. COHEN, a citizen of the United tates, residing at Oakland, county of Alameda, State of California, whose post ofiice address is 1440 Twenty-ninth avenue, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Methods and Apparatus for Producing Oscillating Currents of High Frequency, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the production of high frequendy oscillating currents, for use particularl in wireless communication and the transmission of power.

Among the objectssought to be accom plished are to produce an apparatusof this character that is simple in construction and operation;

That will maintain, as nearly as may he,ga constant and persistent oscillating current;

That provides for the circulation of a liquid having sli ht conductivity, between the faces of the e ectrodes in the oscillator;

That provides means for visual examinw tion, at any time, of the operation of the .spark gap between the electrodes;

That the spar rovides means for quickly closing ap, and the opening of the spark ga a predetermined distance;

l hat is adaptable for use under conditions of constant vibration, sudden shock, change of position and other conditions to he met in marine service, on warships for instance during heavy gun fire; in land service on railroad trains, transportation wagons, horseback and other extreme conditions, met with particularly in military service.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description pro resscs, In the drawing accompanying am forming part of the p'resent specificatlon, to winch like reference characters have been applied. a simple form of putting this invention into practice is shown. I do not wish to be understood as confining this invention to the disclosures made in said drawing) and description, as many variations may e introduced, within the spirit of this invention, as defined in the claims succeeding the said description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in cross section on the line'I-I, Fig. 2, of an oscillator constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same taken on the line II-II, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail in front elevation of the metallic electrode, showing the ports therethrough for circulating the liquid, octwccn the electrodes.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawings includes the electrode 1, having a smooth, level plane, sparkin surface. This electrode has'the hollow c amber 2 cored therein, with which the inlet and outlet pipes 3 and 4 communicate. These pi es are connected with a su ply tank 5 filed with a cooling liquid 21. apted to circulate through the chamber 2, for the purpose of removing the heat created by the spark an radiated by the electrode 1. Thermo-siphon circulation is usually suflicient for the cirqulation of this cooling liquid, but the circulation can be rendered more positive by the addition of the force pump 6. The electrode 1 is surrounded by an annular groove into which the glass ring 7 is cemented.

The electrode 8 is preferably of carbon, coinciding in outline with the active face of the metallic electrode 1. This carbon electrode is embedded in the metallic holder 9, having flanged edges 10 extending to near the sparking surface of lateral flange overhanging the thickness of the flange 10. The flange 10 is annularly grooved to receive the packing 11, entirely encircling the electrode 8 and its holder 9, hermetically packir iglthe electrode 8 within the glass ring 7. e attenuated lip 12 of the packin is forced against the wall of the glass rin by the pressure of the liquid confined etvveen the two electrodes and the encircling glass wall of the ring 7.

The space 13 between the electrodes 1 and 8 constitutes the spark gap, that is hermctn call surrounded by the glass ring 7, as descri ed. The container 14 is ada ted to contain a liquid'of slight conductivity, flowing down through the pipe 15, and through the lower port 16 connected with the space 13, through which the liquid flows upward and out through the port 17, into the pipe 18 connected with the tank 14. The liquid is circulated by the force pump 19, introduced the electrode, which has a in the pipe 15. To control the pressure of the liquid the tank 14 is pressuretight, and is provided with the pressure gage 20, properly graduated to disclose the pressure within the tank, or the pressure may be trolled by raising and lowering the tank.

In the present invention the liquid film circulating past the faces of the opposed electrodes is of slight electrical conductivity. The liquids generally chosen for this purose are the various forms of alcohol, alcoliolic solutions, acetic acid or formaldehyde. The quantity of liquid exposed between the faces of the electrodes is reduced to the minimum with respect to the superficial area of the electrodes exposed. The holder 9 is provided with the stem 21, guided in the insulating bushing 22, fixed in the bracket 23, extending upward from the base 2i. This bracket has the extensions 25 and 26 fixed to the opposite ends of the electrode 1 by the screws 27 27, respectively. The length of the spark gap 13 is regulated by the adjusting screws2828 threaded in the insulating bushings 29 fixed in the bracket 23. The outer end of the stem 21 is provided with the insulating knob 30 fixed thereon. The expansion spring 31 is" confined between the knob 30 and the bushing 2, encircling the stem 21 and partially concealed within the recess in the knob 30. This arrangement of the mounting of the electrode 8 permits it to be pushed forward to contact, or approximately contact, with the electrode 1 for purposes that. will be later described. The expension of the spring 31 assists the internal pressurc within the spark gap space 13, in restoring the electrode 8 to the normal position abutting the ends of the adjusting sCIQWS 28, by the aidof which the length of the spark gap can be micrometrically adjusted. by screwing the adjusting screws in or out. The electrode 1 is provided with the binding post 32 to receive the terminal 33. The electrode 8 is provided with a. similar binding post 34 to receive the opposite terminal 35.

The operation and application of oscillators is presumed to be sufliciently well understood, so as not to require detail descri tion of its particular position in the circuit, or the coiiperative elements contributing to the results desired, in the art to which it appertains.

This invention is operated substantially as follows The spark is started by pressing the knob :30 inward until the electrodes 1 and 8 are brought into contact, which closes the circuit, starting the current flowing through the electrodes, creating a spark as they are separated, the length of the spark increasing as the electrode 8. returns to the normal position fixed by the adjusting screws 28, that regulate'the fixed len h .of the spark for the desired pur ose. t is important that this spark trave about, within the confines of the parallel area of the electrodes exposed to each other.

The instant that a. spark jumps. across the gap 13, the heat generated by the s ark creates a bubble in the liquid confine between the electrodes. The point on one electrode from which the spark started, and the point on the opposite e ectrode to which the spark jumped, are within the bubble for a suflicient period of time to prevent a second spark umping across between the two exact surfaces isolated or insulated b the presence of the bubble. The succee ing sparks, (andthey come in such rapid successmn as to, for practical purposes, amount to a continuous flow) nature ly choose points on the o posite electrodes not occupied by a bubb e; therefore, the spark jumps about throughout; the area of the OPPOS] faces of the elmtrodes, The-bubbles thufiormed as described jvery slightlyuench each spark as it passes, preventing t e formation of arcs at. an y point in the spark gap. This explanation'isnflered as a workin hypothesis, andiI do not' wishto be an erstood as limitingthe'possib this invention thereto.

The slight conductivity of the li uid allows the sparks to pass between the laces of the electrodes, until said liquid becomes heated at the sparkin poipts, producing the bubbles as descri The action of the spark is practically continuous, regular and. wholeparallel sur constant throughout the faces of 11.116161601310665, as is evidenced b the fact, that the ne tive carbon electro e is burned evenly an regularly throughout its whole sparking area; this action is facilitated by the constant and regular speed ilities or the operation of and pressure of the film of liquid passing between the ex osed faces of the electrodes. The structure 1 lustrated prevents the foreing of sparks beyond the faced the electrodes, byundue speed in the flow of the liquid, owing to the fact that only the faces of the electrodes are exposed to the liquid.

The pressure and the flow of the liquid is an important factor in accomplishing the resul s attained. In this description and the c aims confined pressure is to be understood to mean greater than atmospheric pressure; therefore requiring containers, etc., not vented to the atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. The action of the electric current and the spark in a short time deteriorates the efliciency of this liquid, if the same quantity remains for any length of time exposed" between the electrodes. The constant confined pressure on the liquid tends to maintain a substantially uniform 1= the action of the Sp density of the liquid between the electrodes, insuring a consequently uniform action of the spark and a more rapid and snappy travel of the same throughout the sparking area, due to the rapid circulation of the liquid; that also causes the rapid removal rom the sparking area of any carbon or me- .Alllc particles given oil by the electrodes,

accumulate and modify ark. Such articles, if any, would be precipitated within the tank it and removed from the circulating liquid. The liquid does not remain in the sparking area long enou h to become electrolyzed, the electrolytic action being only partial. The constant circulation of the li uid also materially aids in carrying ofi t e heat generated in the sparking ar'ea, thereby saving the electrodes from undue wear, and the liquid from a too ra id deterioration. The operation of the spark can be observed through the transparent glass wall 7.

Having thus described this invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is *1. An oscillatory spark that may tend to gap apparatus of the. character described including opposed electrodes, 2. wall surrounding said electrodes contiguous to the sparking areas thereof, and hermetically sealed thereto, said walls having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the space within said walls; means for circulating liquid through said space and across the faces of said electrodes and for the escape of any gas or vapor which may be formed or generated between said electrodes.

2. An oscillatory spark gap apparatus of the character described including opposed electrodes, :1 wall surrounding said elec trodes contiguous to the sparking areas thereof and hermetically sealed thereto, and means for circulating a liquid over and across the faces of the said electrodes under a regular constant and confined pressure.

3. A spark gap apparatus of the character described including opposed electrodes; a transparent wall surrounding said electrodes contiguous to the sparking areas thereof and hermetically sealed thereto; and means for circulating a liquid under confined ircssure between said electrodes.

' 4. l spark gap apparatus of the ClHtIflC' ter described, including a pair of opposed e ectrodes having parallel faces; and means for confining a film of liquid under pressure between said sparking surfaces.

spark gap apparatus of the character; described, including opposed electrodes having flat parallel sparking planes; a transparent wall surrounding said planes contiguous to the sparking areas thereof;

within said wall; and means sparking sure and means for circulating a liquid under confined pressure] let ween said planes within said wall.

6. A spark gap apparatus of the character described, including opposed electrodes having flat parallel sparking planes; a transparent wall surroumling said planes contiguous to the sparking areas thereof; means for adjusting one of said electrodes for circulating a liquid under confined pressure between said planes.

7. A spark gap apparatus of thecharacter described, including an electrode having a sparking surface; a trans )arent wall surrounding said surface and ermetically engaging said electrode; an opposing electrode having a sparking surface and slidable within said wall; a packing interposed between said 0 posing electrode and said wall; and a liquir confined Within saidwall, between said electrodes.

8. A spark gap apparatuskif the character described, includlng an electrode having an annular wall; an opposing electrode slidably engaging said wall and having a stem: a bracket attached to said first mentfie'o electrode and engaging said stem; adjusting screws threads in said bracket and abutting said opposing electrode; and means for circulating a liquid within said wall.

9. A spark gap apparatus of the character described, including an electrode having a sparking surface; a hollow chamber be hind said sparking surface, means for circulating a cooling mediumthroughsaid chamber; an opposing electrode; a surrounding wall-and means for hermetically seaiingthe contiguous edges of said electrodes to said walls; and means for passing a liquid through said space.

10. A spark gap apparatus of the charactor described, including an electrode having an annular wall contiguous to and surronndlngits sparking surface; ports through opposite ends of said sparking surface within said wall; an op osing electrode within said wall and a pasting between said wall' and said opposing electrode; and means for passing a lm of liquid between trodes through said ports.

11. An oscillatory spark gap apparatus said clcccomprising alined opposed inter-spaced electrodes, a sealing member inclosing the interspaced ends of the electrodes to form a chamber between the electrodes and to permit the opposite ends of said electrodes to project exterior of said sealing member. said sealing member having inlet and outlet openings formed therein and means for ma ntaining a circulation of liquid through said openings and the space or chamber formed between the electrodes.

12. An oscillatory spark gap comprising an inclosed casing having a chamber formed therein, and inlet and outlet openings, a sta tionary electrode pro ecting through one wall of said casing, a second electrode mounted in alinement with said first mentioned electrode projecting through an opposite wall .of the casing, a flexible seallng member interposed between said electrode and said wall to permit movement of said second electrode with relation to said stationary electrode and means for maintaining a circulation of liquid through the inlet and outlet openings'and the space formed between said electrodes.

13. An oscillatory spark ga apparatus comprising a pair of horizonta ly disposed electrodes having vertically opposed separated faces, a sea ing member iuclosing said opposed faces said sealing member having an inlet opcnlng in its lower side and an outlet openin in its upper side, and means for maintaining a circulation of liquid through said 9 enin and the space formed between said e ectr es.

14. An oscillatory spark gap ap aratus compri's'ing'a pair of horizonta ly isposed electrodes havm vertically opposed separated faces, a sea ing member inclosing said opposed .faces, said sealing member having an inlet opening termed in its lower side and anoutletopening in'its u per side, a closed tankoontaining 'a-liqui pipes conmeeting the with the inlet and outlet openings and means ,for maintaining a circula'tion of liquid through said openings and the space formed between saidelectrodes.

15. The method of ,producinghigh frequency oscillatin current which consists in producing a spa-r discharge across a spark gap regu atinghe operation of the spark gap by passing' a small 'body of liquid of relatively low conductivity between the electrodes confiningsaid liquid under a controlled hydrostatic pressure thereby va ing and regulating the condition of conductivity and resistance in said liquid and between said electrodes.

16. The method of producing continuous high frequency practically undamped oscillatm currents, which consists in producing spar discharges across a spark gap regulating the passage of electrons between the electrodes of the spark gap by passing a small body of liquid of slight conductivity between said electrodes confining said liquid under a controlled hydrostatic pressure across and adjacent to the faces of said electrodes'thereby varying and regulating the condition of conductivity and resistance in said li id and between said electrodes.

17. iii

d cs 0' atorycurrentsina spar gap which consists in producing spark discharges across requency practically I undampe in producing spark discharg emethod of producing continuous a spark gap regulating the operation of the spark ga by passing a small body of liqlHCl ofshght' conductivity between the elec-,

tween sax electrodes by removing the vay por and gas formed by the operationof said spark gap, from between and adjacent to said electrodes.

18. The method of producingjalternating currents of high frequencies in a spark gap, which consists in producing spark discharges across a ark gap subjecting the faces of the electro d ed of said spark ap to a liquid under confinedcontrolledhv rostatic pressure. 7 i

19. The method of producing alternating currents of high frequencies in a spark gap which consisls s'r 'in producing spark discharges across a spark gap subjecting the faces of the electrodes of said gap to a circulating liquid which is maintained under a confined controlled hydrostatic pressure.

20. The method of. producing alternating currents of high'frequencies in a spark gap which consists in lproducing spark discharges across a spar gap passing a film of liquid. between ,the faces of the electrodes and removing the gas and vapor generated between the electrodes.

21. The method of producing high frequency oseillating currents which consists es across a spark gap regulating the operation of the spark gap by passing a small body of liquid of relatively low conductivity under controlled pressure between the electrodes in one direction only, of conductivity and between said electrodes.

22. The method of producing high frequency oscillatin currents which consists in producing. spar discharges across a spark gap regulating the o eration of the spark gap by passing; small ody of liquid of relatively low conductivity under controlled pressure between ward clirectiongonlyto regulate the condition of conductivity resistance in said liquid and between sai electrodes.

23. The methdd of producing alternating currents -of high frequency which consists in producing spark discharges across li uid under conthe faces of the thereby regulating the conditionand resistance in said liquid the electrodesin an upspark gap forcing A liquid under confined controlled pressure between interspaced elem trodes, confining said liquid under a controlled hydrostatic pressure between the elm-trodes, While the electrodes are connect ed in a circuit having self induction and cm gmcniy.

9.3. The method of producing alternating uurmnts of high frequency in a spark gap, which consists in producing a spark discharge across a spark gap and subjecting In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 16 my hum! this twenty-seventh day of Novemlwr, 1914:.

A LFRED COHEN.

W i messes:

.-\. J HENRY, BALDWIN VALE. 

